Chicago Bears

Soldier Field sits on the lakefront in Chicago, and there is no more beautifully located NFL stadium in the country. Lake Michigan is right there, the skyline is behind you, and on a crisp fall afternoon, this is what football was designed to feel like. It's also freezing cold for half the season, and Bears fans wouldn't have it any other way.

The Bears are the oldest franchise in the NFL, and that history runs through every tailgate, every game, and every conversation you'll have with a Chicago football fan. Ditka. Butkus. Payton. The '85 Bears and the Super Bowl Shuffle. This city bleeds navy and orange, and Soldier Field is the cathedral where they worship.

Tailgating at Soldier Field is a production. The lots along Museum Campus fill up early with grills pumping out Chicago-style Italian sausage, Polish sausage, and brats. You're layering up because the wind off the lake is no joke, but the food and the cold beers make it all worth it. Do the Super Bowl Shuffle to stay warm. Bears fans invented doing ridiculous things in cold weather to prove loyalty, and it's a noble tradition.

Before the game, if you want a sit-down pregame meal, Kroll's South Loop or Scout on South Michigan Avenue are solid choices. After the game, the bars on Wabash and State Street in the South Loop are packed with Bears fans breaking down every play. Find Bears tickets on Evil Tickets. Bundle up and bring your voice.